What Is RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)?
RSV causes cold-like symptoms, but it can sometimes become severe.
Infants often experience many infections in their first year or two of life, including RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus. RSV is a very contagious virus. Usually, the symptoms resemble a mild cold, but in some cases, RSV can cause serious illness and can be life threatening.
In this video, learn what RSV is, the symptoms, and why it can be so dangerous, according to Preeti Parikh, MD, Pediatrician at Mount Sinai Hospital.
- Preeti Parikh, MDPreeti Parikh, MD is the Executive Medical Director at GoodRx and served as the Chief Medical Officer of HealthiNation.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Healthcare providers: RSV immunization for infants and young children.
Ebeledike, C., et al. (2023). Pediatric pneumonia. StatPearls [Internet].
Erickson, E. N., et al. (2023). Pediatric bronchiolitis. StatPearls [Internet].
Jain, H., et al. (2023). Respiratory syncytial virus infection in children. StatPearls [Internet].
MedlinePlus. (2023). Pneumonia.